Tuesday 23 September 2008

Electric Range Rover with zero emissions to be unveiled

A prototype Range Rover capable of going 200 miles on a single electric charge is to be unveiled this week.

By David Millward, Transport Editor Last Updated: 8:58PM BST 22 Sep 2008

According to the company, this car will offer swift acceleration and a high top speed, while costing 80 per cent less to run than a petrol equivalent
It has been designed by a team working in Oxford and could be on sale next year.
The bill for driving an environmentally friendly Range Rover will be a hefty one, with the prices ranging from £95,000 to £125,000.
However, unlike the car's conventional equivalents, the tax bill for running the car will be minimal.
Electric cars on the market, such as the G-Wizz have a range of around 50-60 miles - but are also on sale at a fraction of the proposed price for the Liberty Electric Range Rover.
It is the latest in a series of alternative powered cars being designed by the motor industry which has come under intense pressure to reduce emissions.
The European Union has told car makers that they must bring their average CO2 output down to 130 grams per kilometre by 2012.
According to the company, this car will offer swift acceleration and a high top speed, while costing 80 per cent less to run than a petrol equivalent.
Other innovations include roof mounted solar panels, which will provide additional charge for the batteries as well as powering some of the car's electrics while it is stopped.
Some versions will also have technology designed to extend the car's range even further.
The company behind the project has pledged to invest £30 million and said it will create 250 new manufacturing jobs - although where the jobs will be located has not been disclosed.
Its backers include Ian Taylor, a former science minister, and a number of motor design experts.